EPIMETHEU5.
O my brother!
I am not as thou art. Thou dost inherit
Our father's strength, and I our mother's weakness:
The softness of the Oceanides,
The yielding nature that cannot resist.
The Annotated Edition
EPIMETHEU5. by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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This brief poem is voiced by Epimetheus, a character from Greek mythology, as he speaks to his brother Prometheus.
- Themes
- family, identity, memory
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
This brief poem is voiced by Epimetheus, a character from Greek mythology, as he speaks to his brother Prometheus. Epimetheus acknowledges that he doesn't possess his brother's renowned strength; instead, he has inherited a softer, more accommodating disposition from their mother, the ocean nymph in their lineage. It's a subtle admission of vulnerability — and perhaps a form of self-acceptance as well.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
O my brother! / I am not as thou art.
Editor's note
Epimetheus begins by addressing his brother Prometheus directly. Right from the first line, we see a clear contrast—these two brothers are fundamentally different, and Epimetheus is aware of it. There's no resentment in his tone, just a straightforward recognition of their differences.
Thou dost inherit / Our father's strength, and I our mother's weakness:
Editor's note
The poem's central idea comes together here. Prometheus inherited the boldness and strength that come with their father's lineage — after all, he's the Titan who stole fire from the gods. Epimetheus received something gentler, which he refers to as 'weakness,' though that term has its own complex implications.
The softness of the Oceanides, / The yielding nature that cannot resist.
Editor's note
The Oceanides are the ocean nymphs, daughters of the Titan Oceanus — gentle and fluid, embodying water’s nature to yield rather than resist. Epimetheus fully embraces this trait. While "cannot resist" may seem like a weakness, it also reflects how Epimetheus, in the myth, welcomed Pandora as a gift despite Prometheus's warnings. His willingness to accept was both his allure and his downfall.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
The tone feels confessional and subtly melancholic. Epimetheus isn't angry or defensive — he's just expressing what he genuinely believes about himself. There's a calmness to it, as if someone is finally sitting down after a heated argument and admitting something they've always understood. The old-fashioned language ("thou," "dost," "thee") lends it a formal, mythic quality without coming across as rigid.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- Father's strength
- Embodies the Promethean ideal—boldness, defiance, and the determination to take action even in the face of the gods. It's the heroic legacy that Epimetheus believes he was denied.
- Mother's weakness
- Not weakness in a shameful way, but a different type of nature: receptive, open, and gentle. It connects to the Oceanides and the flowing, adaptable nature of water. Longfellow presents it as a gift passed down, not as a shortcoming.
- The Oceanides
- These ocean nymphs represent fluidity, gentleness, and the challenge of resisting outside forces. By calling upon them, Epimetheus aligns himself with a tradition of softness—beautiful yet vulnerable.
§06Historical context
Historical context
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow released "Epimetheus" in his collection *The Masque of Pandora and Other Poems* (1875), written during his later years. The poem references the Greek myth of the Titan brothers Prometheus and Epimetheus. Prometheus is well-known for stealing fire from the gods to give to humanity — an act of bold rebellion. Epimetheus, meaning "afterthought," is noted for marrying Pandora despite his brother's warnings and for opening (or letting her open) the jar that unleashed suffering into the world. Longfellow had a deep fascination with classical mythology, often using it to delve into human psychology throughout his career. By 1875, he had endured the tragic loss of his wife in a fire and the turmoil of the Civil War, and his later works frequently reflect on human limitations and sorrow with a sense of resigned acceptance.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
Epimetheus is a Titan and the brother of Prometheus. His name means 'afterthought,' which reflects his tendency to act impulsively. He took Pandora as his wife, ignoring Prometheus's warning about trusting gifts from the gods. This choice ultimately resulted in the release of all suffering into the world.
Yes, this is the complete poem as a standalone lyric. Longfellow sometimes crafted brief dramatic monologues that capture a single moment in time. This one feels like the beginning of a speech — Epimetheus revealing his character before the unfolding events of the larger mythological tale.
The Oceanides are the three thousand daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys in Greek mythology—ocean nymphs linked to rivers, streams, and the sea. They embody the fluid, gentle, and yielding aspects of nature. Epimetheus regards this as part of his maternal legacy.
Not exactly. He uses the term "weakness," but the poem doesn't treat it as something to be ashamed of — it's simply a matter of honesty. He's depicting a temperament without any need to apologize. The "yielding nature" he talks about is genuine and carries weight in his myth, but Longfellow portrays it with dignity instead of disdain.
They are brothers and both Titans. Prometheus, whose name means 'forethought,' is the planner and the rebel, acting boldly for humanity. Epimetheus, meaning 'afterthought,' is his opposite—reactive, open, and easily influenced. Together, they embody two basic human tendencies: foresight and hindsight, strength and softness.
Longfellow was among the most popular American poets of the 19th century, equipped with a thorough classical education. He frequently drew on Greek and Roman myths throughout his career, as they provided a universal and timeless way to delve into emotions such as guilt, suffering, and human limitation—feelings he intimately understood, particularly following the death of his wife.
It originates from *The Masque of Pandora and Other Poems*, published in 1875. The title piece is a dramatic poem that explores Pandora's story, while 'Epimetheus' aligns with the mythological themes Longfellow was developing in that collection.
At its core, the poem explores identity—specifically, how we perceive ourselves in relation to those nearest to us. It also delves into family dynamics, as the differences between the brothers are portrayed through what they received from their parents. A sense of sorrow weaves through the piece: Epimetheus isn't celebrating who he is; he's coming to terms with it.
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